Community Notes Nov 28th

Remember Me Service

The annual ceremony to remember the deaths during the year of people associated with Timoleague parish will be on line this year because of Covid-19 restrictions. Michael Heaney has been busy over the last week as have members of the Parish Pastoral Council and parish priest Fr. Hickey in preparing this special service of remembrance.

The link will be readily available for anyone to join in the service on Sunday next November 29^th. People can participate in the ceremony by lighting a candle in their homes as they follow the service on line. The link will be posted on all local web sites: Timoleague Parish; Timoleague Notice Board; Timoleague Tidy Towns - Molaga Tidy Towns; Timoleague NS Argideen Rangers GAA; Ballinascarthy GAA. to facilitate all those who might like to participate remotely.

“Let us spend time now with our memories of the loved ones we have lost”

Cork Cancer Support

Are you grieving the loss of a loved one from cancer? Cork ARC’s supports can help you.

'Self Compassion in Grief' takes place on Wednesday 2nd & Wednesday 9th December. Booking is essential - please call 027 53891 / 083 198 8580 or email westcork@corkcancersupport.ie

All of Cork ARC's services are free of charge. Registered Charity No. 20049881 / Visit www.corkcancersupport.ie

100 Years Ago

The events of Bloody Sunday have been commemorated and much has been written about all the sad happenings that took place that day in Dublin. Meanwhile down here in West-Cork, Tom Barry and his Flying Column were also preparing for action at Kilmichael on November 26^th. Timothy Keohane’s account of the day makes for fascinating reading. It was disappointing that his name was not on the list of those in action at Kilmichael which was published last week. Hopefully that can be rectified and that he can be given the recognition that he deserves.

He writes that they reached the ambush site at about 7.30am and they fortified their positions. Members of the column were then spread out in various locations. Timothy tells that he was with Pat Deasy on a high rock at the northern side of the road and within a short distance (about 150 yds.) of the command post at the eastern end where Tom Barry had 3 rifle men. All sections took up their positions at 8am and remained there until about 4pm. without incident. During the day they had been supplied with tea by some girls from a nearby house.

Scouts to the west reported the approach of an enemy convoy at about 4pm. Their orders were to allow the leading lorry to pass their position and that the party at the command post at the eastern end which included Tom Barry would engage. This they did and when the second lorry approached, Timothy and his section opened fire as did the other sections north of the road. The auxiliaries who survived the opening burst of fire, jumped from the lorries and took what cover they could behind rocks at the northern side. The enemy party in the leading lorry was disposed of in about five or six minutes, but the survivors from the second lorry continued to fight for about 20 to 30 minutes.

At this stage Tom Barry blew a blast on his whistle as a signal that all men should get on to the road. At the same time Barry moved with his section along the road from the east to take the survivors in the rear. He then called on the enemy to surrender and some of them put up their hands but when Timothy Keohane’s party were moving on to the road, the Auxiliaries again opened fire. Two of the column were wounded by this fire. Two others, Jim O’Sullivan and Mick Mc Carthy had been killed and Pat Deasy had been wounded also. Tom Barry immediately ordered an all- out attack and after a few sharp bursts, the enemy forces were silenced. They had all been killed. The surviving members of the column then collected all enemy arms and ammunition. The enemy lorries were set on fire. All members of the enemy party had Webley revolvers which were collected as were a number of rifles.

Timothy was armed with a shot gun as were about five or six other members of the column. The shortage was due to the fact that a number of rifles which were being sent from the western end of the brigade did not reach the column before the operation. When all was over, the column was assembled by the O/C Tom Barry, who in a short address, congratulated the men on the fight and expressed regret on the death of their brave comrades. A horse and car were then procured from a neighbouring farmhouse, on which the dead and wounded were removed. They then moved across country to Granure where they remained in billets for a few days. Pat Deasy died from his wounds later that night.

Christmas Preparation

On Saturday morning last, local community volunteers assembled to put up the Christmas tree at the Cross in the village centre. Earlier in the week, Cork County Council donated Christmas trees to some towns and villages in the Bandon-Kinsale Electoral Area. Timoleague was one of the lucky recipients of this generous gesture. The large tree was put in position with both mechanical and physical endeavour by the dedicated work crew. The lighted Star of David was put in place high up over the road and the lights were put on the tree. This year it was felt that the village should get a make over a little bit earlier than usual when one considers the times we are living in at present. During the week the Christmas lights will be erected on the streets of the village to complete the make- over. The crib will also be on display beside the Christmas tree.